10 Ways Detox can Help you Thrive
Detoxification, or simply detox, refers to removing toxins from the body. Environmental pollutants, processed food, alcohol, drugs, and even stress place our bodies under a constant toxic load. These toxins can accumulate and produce disease by preventing our body from functioning as designed. Detoxing can help eliminate these toxins and support our body's natural detoxification process. The major organs involved in detoxification are our kidneys, liver, and gut. The ideal detox replenishes the liver by providing essential nutrients for function, flushes the kidney and bowel, and restores healthy intestinal balance (your microbiome). Detoxing can improve digestion, boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and support hormonal balance, making it a great way to jumpstart your wellness journey. It's also the perfect tool for health maintenance.
Let’s dive deeper into some of the ways detox can help you thrive.
1. Increased Energy
Toxins can interfere with energy production leaving you fatigued and sluggish. Detoxing can help improve energy levels by eliminating those toxins and providing essential nutrients that support energy production. We recommend reducing the intake of processed sugar during a detox which can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent energy crashes.
2. Improved Digestion
The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. We may experience bloating, constipation, or diarrhea when it's not functioning correctly. Detoxing can help improve digestion by eliminating harmful substances and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
3. Weight loss
Toxins can accumulate in fat cells, potentially contributing to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. As long as the body is in a toxic overload, releasing the fat is unsafe. Detoxing can support healthy fat loss by eliminating these toxins and improving metabolic function.
Considering that stress is a toxin, it is no surprise that many of us have struggled with maintaining a healthy weight over the past few years. Mindfulness and stress management practices are essential to a holistic detoxification or weight loss program.
During detox, we encourage colorful, nutrient-dense foods and recommend avoiding sugars, alcohol, processed foods, and eating out. These lifestyle shifts can also contribute to sustainable weight loss.
4. Clearer Skin
Your skin is the largest organ in the body. If the body needs to release toxins and the usual outlets are out of order or overloaded, it will use what it has. That can result in skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. As you restore and revitalize the organs responsible for detoxification blemishes can heal and your healthy glow can be restored.
Resolving chronic inflammation can take time. Persistent skin issues may require more detox cycles or a deeper dive into intestinal health, such as exploring food sensitivities.
5. Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to risk for health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Toxins promote inflammation in the body. Detoxing can help reduce this inflammation by eliminating these toxins, which can lower your risk of chronic diseases.
Inflammation is also often at the root of chronic pain syndromes. Regular detoxification is, unsurprisingly, part of my functional protocols for addressing pain.
6. Balanced Hormones
Detoxing can help balance hormones by eliminating toxins interfering with hormone production, reducing symptoms such as mood swings, PMS and irregular periods.
Don't be surprised if, once you get into the routine of regular detox and become more balanced, your partner reminds you when it's time for another round.
The benefits of detox to hormone balance are why I recommend it as part of my pregnancy preparation protocol.
7. Stronger Immune System
Toxic overload can compromise our immune system. Our immune system is less able to protect us from harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, making us more susceptible to illness and disease. Detoxing can help boost immune function by reducing the body's detoxification pathways burden.
8. Improved Mood
Detoxing can improve emotional well-being by removing harmful substances that impact the growth of beneficial bacteria that produce happy hormones like serotonin.
Chronic inflammation can contribute to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Regular detox can be a vital part of an integrative approach to management.
9. Better Focus
Brain fog, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating can all be signs of brain inflammation. Detoxing can help improve mental clarity by eliminating toxins impacting brain function.
10. Increased Longevity
By promoting overall health and reducing your risk of chronic diseases, detoxing can help you to live a longer, healthier life.
Special Mention: MTHFR
The MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) gene mutation affects the body's ability to process specific vitamins and nutrients, particularly folate and B vitamins.
This mutation can lead to various health issues, including detoxification problems that can impact overall wellness.
Impaired liver function is a characteristic of the MTHFR mutation. Individuals with MTHFR may be more sensitive to environmental toxins since their bodies can be less effective at eliminating them. The accumulated toxins can contribute to the development of chronic illnesses such as autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
If you carry the MTHFR gene, a consistent strategy for detoxification combined with daily administration of nutrients that support detox is vital since this gene affects both your energy production and detoxification pathways.
Ready to Detox? Join the quarterly detox challenge in our Facebook Group. Order my recommended kit here to start your detox now!
*consult with your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications before beginning any detoxification program.
